a promising harbinger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a promising harbinger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that indicates a positive or hopeful future outcome or event. Example: "The recent advancements in renewable energy technology are a promising harbinger of a more sustainable future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A promising harbinger was the then-emerging Creative Commons, founded by Larry Lessig.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though it might not be the most groundbreaking stuff, it's a promising harbinger of things to come.

The Guardian

It could have been a promising harbinger for transitional justice, especially as the S.C.A.F. announced that it would investigate military personnel suspected in Ibrahim's case and refer them to military tribunals (the only courts with the authority to judge them).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These nifty inventions can power a laptop, car or home without any harmful emissions at all.It will take time to get to this hydrogen age, but there are promising harbingers.

The Economist

It may be a hopeful harbinger in these troubling times.

Forbes

This review attempts to highlight the global importance of enzymes and extends to signify actinomycetes as promising harbingers of green technology.

BioMed Research International

Not a promising combination.

The New York Times

Hardly a promising start.

Independent

A promising start.

The Economist

A promising athlete.

Vice

(A promising queen sacrifice).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a promising harbinger" when you want to convey a sense of hope and anticipation for future positive outcomes, especially in formal or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a promising harbinger" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "a good sign" or "a hopeful indication" are generally more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a promising harbinger" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or appositive. It describes a particular event or sign as indicative of a favorable future. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a promising harbinger" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an event or sign that indicates a positive future outcome. While considered formal and relatively rare, it often appears in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting that it is suitable for conveying optimism and anticipation in more sophisticated writing or speech. Consider related phrases like "a hopeful omen" or "a positive sign" for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A hopeful omen

Replaces "promising" with "hopeful" and "harbinger" with "omen", slightly changing the tone to be more focused on hope and less on prediction.

A positive sign

Uses more common and less formal words, making it suitable for everyday conversation while retaining the core meaning.

A good indication

Replaces "harbinger" with "indication", simplifying the phrase and making it more accessible.

An encouraging forecast

Shifts the focus towards prediction and future events, emphasizing the positive and supportive nature of the forecast.

A favorable development

Highlights the positive unfolding or progress of an event, rather than its predictive nature.

A bright start

Focuses on the initial stage being positive, suggesting a promising beginning.

A cause for optimism

Indicates that there is a reason to be hopeful and positive about the future.

A source of encouragement

Emphasizes the uplifting and supportive nature of the sign or event.

A reason to be sanguine

Replaces "promising" and "harbinger" with a more sophisticated and less common expression, indicating a confident optimism.

A precursor of success

Directly links the current sign to future success, highlighting the predictive aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a promising harbinger" in a sentence?

You can use "a promising harbinger" to describe something that indicates a positive future outcome. For example, "The company's innovative product is "a promising harbinger" of future success".

What are some alternatives to "a promising harbinger"?

Some alternatives include "a hopeful omen", "a positive sign", or "a good indication".

Is "a promising harbinger" a formal phrase?

Yes, "a promising harbinger" is considered a relatively formal phrase. It's more commonly found in writing and formal speech than in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "a promising harbinger" and "a positive sign"?

"A promising harbinger" suggests a stronger predictive quality and is generally more formal than "a positive sign", which is a more general and widely applicable expression.